Otto ernst



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO ERNST, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IM PROVENI ENTIN CRAVATS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 53,42, dated March 27, 1866; antedated March 223, 1866.

VTo all 'whom it may concern:

and State of New York, have invented, made,

and applied to use a certain new and useful Improvement in Cravats; and Ido hereby declare the following` to be a full, clear, and eX- act description of the said invention, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, wherein- Figure l is a perspective view of my improved cravat. Fig. 2 is a section of the cravat at the bow, and Fig. 3 is a view of the sheet-metal strip forming the cravat-frame as if laid out dat.

Similar marks of' reference denote the same parts.

The nature of' my said invention consists in a'sheet-metal frame having holes or an opening for attaching the bow, also a loop on the inner side to button over the shirt-collar button and I form the front edge of the cravatframe in a curved shape, so as to set more comfortably and handsomely beneath the chin. The metal springs that have heretofore been employed have been covered with a silk or other ornamented fabric, which quickly wears out and is cut through by the spring. I prevent this by enameling or coating the cravatf'rame with a color to imitate a woven fabric on those portions of the frame that are exposed to view, so that the silk covering is rendered unnecessary.

In the drawings, a is a metallic frame formed, as shown in Fig. 3, with a fastening or clasp at b for attaching the en ds of the frame to each other at the back of the neck. At c c the frame is curved downward. This part comes below the chin, and allows greater freedom to the movement of the head, and at the same time covers the collar of the shirt at its junction with the bosom. This sheet-metal frame is perforated or notched with a hole or opening, as at d, so that the bow may be attached thereto with facility, and not slide along upon said frame, as would be the case if the frame were straight and plain. I prefer that a mortise should be cut in said sheet-metal frame, as represented, so that the fabric of the bow may be passed over the edge of the frame and through this mortise or opening. The cravat is kept from slipping down in front by a loop, c, attached to the frame and taking over the collar-button ofthe shirt. This loop will keep the cravat up to its place within the fold of a turnover collar whether said frame go all around the neck or be formed as a short section. (Represented by dotted lines in Fig. 3.)

The frame composing the foundation or support for the cravat-bow is not to be covered with silk or other woven fabrics liable to wear out, but is to receive a coating of' enamel upon those parts that are visible when in use. This enamel or coating is to be of' a color to represent a woven fabric. It should correspond to the color of the bow; but some persons might prefer a dierent color. The said enameling may extend over the whole of the outside and inside surface ofthe metallic frame if desired.

This mode of making cravats renders them much lighter and better for summer wear than the cravats formed of woven fabrics, and at the same time they become much more durable, because the frame itselfwill not wear out, and can be used with new bows in place of' worn or soiled ones.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A sheet-metal frame for a cravat, formed with an opening or openings -for attaching the bow at the front portion and retaining it in place, as specified.

2. A loop or fastening on the inside -of the sheet-metal frame of the cravat, at the front part thereof', to connect the same to the shirtcollar, as specified.

3. Forming the sheet metal for the cravatframe with a curved edge at the part which comes below the chin, as and for the purposes specified.

4. A cravat-frame enameled or coated with a color to imitate a woven fabric on those portions of' the frame that are visible when in use,

as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signa-ture this 18th day of April, 1865.

OTTO ERNST.

Witnesses:

LEMUEL W. SERRELL, JAMES E. SERRELL, Jr. 

